Popcorn differs from other types of maize/corn in that it has a thicker pericarp/hull. The hull allows pressure from the heated water to build and eventually bursts open. The inside starch becomes gelatinous while being heated; when the hull bursts, the gelatinized starch spills out and cools, giving it its familiar popcorn shape.

Most
U.S. popcorn is grown in the Midwest, primarily in
Indiana,
Nebraska,
Ohio,
Illinois,
Iowa,
Kentucky and
Missouri.

The peak period for popcorn sales for home consumption is in the fall.

How high popcorn kernels can pop? Up to 3 feet in the air.

The world’s largest popcorn ball was created by volunteers in
Sac City,
Iowa in February, 2009. It weighed 5,000 lbs., stood over 8 ft. tall, and measured 28.8 ft. in circumference.

If you made a trail of popcorn from
New York City to
Los Angeles, you would need more than 352,028,160 popped kernels!